Second Defendant Convicted in Murder of Charles Edward Stanley, III:

This afternoon, a Newton County jury found Tyrez Riquan Bell guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During a Felony. Codefendant Shane Robinson was convicted earlier this year for his part in the murder of Stanley (pictured).

Charles Edward Stanley, III

The charges stem from a March 2022 incident on Harvey Wood Drive. The evidence showed that Bell and Robinson both shot AR style firearms at the vehicle Stanley was driving, Robinson fired 13 shots and Bell fired 7. Stanley was pronounced dead from the injuries he received from the gunshots.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Amber Dally, Assistant District Attorney Alyssa Casperson, Deputy Chief Investigator Jill Lumpkin, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Victim Advocate Mollie Peacock, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Anna Sugg. The investigation was handled by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, led by former Investigator Clinton French, along with assistance from the GBI crime lab.

Both Bell and Robinson remain in custody with a sentencing date set for next month.

“Senseless gun violence took the life of Mr. Stanley and now 2 men, who were in their 20s, face a sentence of at least 30 years in prison. Thankfully, no one else was injured when the defendants opened fire with high powered firearms in a neighborhood, shooting at a case 20 times as it drove away. I greatly appreciate the years of hard work of the prosecution team in brining both of the men responsible for Stanley’s death to justice.”

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Circuit

Conviction in November 2023 Murder of Baron Kilpatrick, Jr. (“BJ”):

Late yesterday afternoon, a Newton County jury convicted Tyrese Smith (aka “Trouble”, pictured second) of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault, and 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony.

On November 3, 2023, Covington Police Officers responded to an apartment in the Housing Authority properties on Alcovy Road in reference to a shooting. When they arrived, they found Kilpatrick (pictured first) with two gunshot wounds, one to the body and one to the head.

Baron "BJ" Kilpatrick, Jr.

The investigation and evidence presented at trial showed that Tyrese Smith and others, including the victim, were at this residence. While there, the Defendant, armed with a handgun, robbed another person of a firearm. This other individual was with and standing next to Kilpatrick. The Defendant then opened fire, striking Kilpatrick twice. Kilpatrick was transported for medical assistance but did not recover.

The Defendant fled the scene and was later apprehended. When interviewed by Covington Police Detectives, the Defendant admitted to shooting Kilpatrick, but claimed it was in self-defense and that he was the one being robbed. However, the crime scene investigation, the autopsy, and common-sense did not support the Defendant’s version of events.

The trial lasted from jury selection on Monday until just before 5pm on Wednesday, August 6. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning a verdict of guilty on all counts, clearly rejecting the Defendant’s self-defense story.

Tyrese Smith

The case was tried by Chief Assistant District Attorney Cliff Howard, Investigator Jeff Diller, Chief Investigator Kelly Whire, Senior Victim Advocate Shay Payne, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Desiree Kozikowski. The investigation was handled by the Covington Police Department along with assistance from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Crime Lab, and the Newton County District Attorney’s Office.

“The Defendant’s senseless violent use of a firearm led to Kilpatrick, a young man in his mid-20s losing his life. The Defendant, also a young man in his mid-20s now faces a minimum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. While this verdict does not bring BJ back, it shows the continued committed of the District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement to holding violent criminals responsible and bringing justice to victims and their families.”

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit

Man Pleads Guilty To 2022 Murder of His Mother:

With trial expected to start next week, Shane Stark entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to the murder of his mother, Makhyal Stark Pohlel (pictured) as well as numerous aggravated assault and firearm possession charges from firing rounds at law enforcement that responded to the scene.

Makhyal Stark Pohlel

In January of 2022, the Defendant called 911 and reported that he had killed his mother with a shotgun. Numerous deputies with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, including the SERT team. As deputies entered the home attempting to locate the victim and the Defendant, Stark fired multiple shots in the direction of the deputies. Eventually, Stark surrendered to law enforcement.

After the case was indicted, the Defendant, through his attorney, asked for a court-ordered mental evaluation regarding both competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. The defense also obtained a private evaluation. After the completion of those evaluations, the Defendant filed Notice of Intent to Raise the Issue of Insanity and Special Plea of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity.

The Defendant withdrew that contention today as part of the guilty plea. The Defendant was sentenced to Life in Prison plus 12 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tara Murphy, Chief Investigator Josh Chambers, Senior Victim Advocate Donna Brandenburg, and Legal Assistant Heather Johnson. The arrest and investigation were handled by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

A guilty but mentally ill plea and sentence functions essentially the same as a guilty plea. The Defendant was sentenced to life in prison and will be in the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections. However, the Department shall evaluate the Defendant and consider any mental health issues when determining appropriate penal facility placement. Further, such a plea allows the Department of Correction more authority to transfer a defendant who suffers from an acute mental health issue to be temporarily transferred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for care in a state mental health facility.

If the Defendant had proceeded with an insanity defendant and a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity, he would be detained in a state mental health facility to be evaluated for his present mental condition within 30 days. If he were found to meet criteria for involuntary inpatient treatment, he could be kept in a state facility. However, if he did not meet that criteria, he could have been released from custody.

“Cases involving mental health are difficult both factually and legally. I commend the hard work of the prosecution team that led to this outcome of the Defendant accepting responsibility for the murder of his own mother. The Defendant has received a sentence of life in prison for his actions, providing some level of closure to the family. I want to personally recognize the SERT team of the Sheriff’s Office who were able to safely apprehend the Defendant while keeping themselves and public safe.”

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit